Discipleship

Bible Passage: Mark 1:14-20

I. Mark 1:1-13 is a Trinitarian passage where we see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together

II. Jesus is “God’s designated ruler”

1. The Messiah who is the Son of God (1:10)
2. The Holy Spirit empowers Him (1:10; cf. Isa 61:1-2)
3. God the Father announces the identity of Jesus publicly, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (1:11)
4. Language of coronation as is seen in Psalm 2:7
5. Special assignment from Isa 42:1

III. As God’s designated ruler, Jesus’ mission is to bring God’s rule to the world

1. By the public proclamation of the Good News of God
2. By recruiting and equipping His disciples to continue the ministry of proclamation
3. And prepare people to respond and receive God’s reign with “repentance and faith”
4. God reign is both present and future
5. It begins with: “Repent and believe”

IV. Jesus begins His ministry with the recruitment of the disciples (vv. 16-20)

1. Jesus’ calling of the disciples is not for their benefit, but for God’s purposes
a.That they would preach about the Kingdom of God
b. They would become “fishers of men” for God
c. Through their proclamation, they would help people to repent and believe in the Gospel
2. Jesus’ recruiting of His disciples is His sovereign election
a. It is not based who they were (purely grace)
b. Jesus is the initiator of the call (John 15:16 “you did not choose me, but I chose you)
c. Jesus’ training is not going to take place in a classroom nor is it following a curriculum
d. The content of the Jesus’ school is Jesus himself
V. Requirements for Jesus’ training (Jesus was going to train them to do something they have never done)

1. Relationship with Jesus—“behind” (verse 17a)
2. Total commitment to Him (verse 18–20)
3. Active promotion of his mission—“fishers of men” (Matt 28:19-20)
4. Jesus is certain about the transformation of the disciples: “I shall make you to become”—emphatic future

VI. Initial stages of Jesus’ training

1. Disciples radical separation from former allegiances in order to be free for the new allegiance to Jesus—No serving two masters/teachers (verse 17)
2. Free of encumbrances: nets and families (cf. Matt 5:29-30)
3. Characterized by obedience (verse 18-20)—Faith needs to be an act before it becomes the content
4. There is emphasis for “Immediately” or “at ones” (verse 18-20)
5. It is an ongoing journey with the teacher

Take Away

Accept Jesus’ call completely without delay (delayed obedience is disobedience)